Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In spite of the money that was in the country, there was no reform of the health service. The universal system to which the current Government is committed will address inefficiencies and extra costs in the health service and will deliver improvements for patients. A risk equalisation scheme is to be introduced by the Minister under the legislation he has introduced. The scheme in place under the former Government was struck down a long time before that Government fell and no permanent scheme was put in its place. What we are getting now is reform and new legislation.

I hope Deputy Billy Kelleher is not suggesting health insurers should not pay what is rightfully owed in the context of the use of private beds in public hospitals. One would expect that they would pay in respect of private patients in public hospitals.

A great deal of reform is taking place under the Minister. That reform will continue and assist in delivering more efficient and effective care for patients and better value for money.

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